U.S. patent application number 12/194237 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for pipe cutting tool.
Invention is credited to Dennis Williams.
Application Number | 20090049697 12/194237 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40378586 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090049697 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Dennis |
February 26, 2009 |
PIPE CUTTING TOOL
Abstract
A pipe-cutting tool is provided. This tool includes a body; a
track on the middle portion of the body; a first moveable carriage
mounted on the track, wherein the first carriage includes first and
second rollers mounted therein; a handle mounted in the rear
portion of the body, wherein the handle is connected to the first
moveable carriage; a second moveable carriage slidably mounted on
the track, wherein the second moveable carriage further includes a
rotatable cutting blade mounted therein; a carriage stop mounted on
or formed integrally with on the front portion of the body, wherein
the carriage stop is adapted to receive therein a portion of the
second moveable carriage; and a biasing member mounted between the
carriage stop and the second moveable carriage, wherein the biasing
member exerts substantially continuous force on the second moveable
carriage for urging the rotatable cutting blade against a pipe
being cut.
Inventors: |
Williams; Dennis;
(Zanesfield, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
100 PINE STREET, P.O. BOX 1166
HARRISBURG
PA
17108-1166
US
|
Family ID: |
40378586 |
Appl. No.: |
12/194237 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60956759 |
Aug 20, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
30/101 ;
83/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23D 21/08 20130101;
Y10T 83/04 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
30/101 ;
83/13 |
International
Class: |
B23D 21/06 20060101
B23D021/06; B26D 1/00 20060101 B26D001/00 |
Claims
1) A pipe-cutting tool, comprising: (a) a body having a rear
portion, a middle portion, and a front portion; (b) a track
attached to or formed integrally with the middle portion of the
body; (c) a first moveable carriage slidably mounted on the track,
wherein the first moveable carriage further includes a first roller
and a second roller mounted therein; (d) a handle mounted in the
rear portion of the body, wherein the handle is connected to the
first moveable carriage, and wherein turning the handle in one
direction causes the first moveable carriage to travel toward the
rear portion of the body and turning the handle in the opposite
direction causes the first moveable carriage to travel toward the
front portion of the body; (e) a second moveable carriage slidably
mounted on the track, wherein the second moveable carriage further
includes a rotatable cutting blade mounted therein, and wherein the
rotatable cutting blade is adapted to cooperate with the first and
second rollers to receive and cut a length of pipe; (f) a carriage
stop mounted on or formed integrally with on the front portion of
the body, wherein the carriage stop is adapted to receive therein a
portion of the second moveable carriage; and (g) a biasing member
mounted between the carriage stop and the second moveable carriage,
wherein the biasing member exerts substantially continuous force on
the second moveable carriage for urging the rotatable cutting blade
against a pipe being cut.
2) The pipe cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the first moveable
carriage further comprises a housing, and wherein the first and
second rollers are mounted within the housing.
3) The pipe cutting tool of claim 2, wherein the housing further
includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the
first and second portions are detachable from one another for
accessing the interior of the first moveable carriage and replacing
the rollers.
4) The pipe cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the handle further
includes: a gripping device; and a threaded connector attached to
the gripping device at one end thereof and to the first moveable
carriage at the other end thereof, and wherein the threaded
connector passes through the read portion of the body of the pipe
cutting tool.
5) The pipe cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the second moveable
carriage further comprises a housing, and wherein the rotatable
cutting blade is mounted within the housing.
6) The pipe cutting tool of claim 5, wherein the housing further
includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the
first and second portions are detachable from one another for
accessing the interior of the second movable carriage and replacing
the rotatable cutting blade.
7) The pipe cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the carriage stop
further comprises a removable cap for accessing the interior of the
carriage stop and replacing the biasing member.
8) A pipe-cutting tool, comprising: (a) a rigid body having a rear
portion, a middle portion, and a front portion; (b) a track
attached to or formed integrally with the middle portion of the
body; (c) a first moveable carriage slidably mounted on the track,
wherein the first moveable carriage further includes a first
housing, and wherein a first roller and a second roller are
rotatably mounted in the first housing; (d) a handle mounted in the
rear portion of the body, wherein the handle is connected to the
first moveable carriage, and wherein turning the handle in one
direction causes the first moveable carriage to travel toward the
rear portion of the body and turning the handle in the opposite
direction causes the first moveable carriage to travel toward the
front portion of the body; (e) a second moveable carriage slidably
mounted on the track, wherein the second moveable carriage further
includes a second housing and wherein a rotatable cutting blade is
mounted in the second housing, and wherein the rotatable cutting
blade is adapted to cooperate with the first and second rollers to
receive and cut a length of tubing or pipe; (f) a carriage stop
mounted on or formed integrally with on the front portion of the
body, wherein the carriage stop is adapted to receive therein a
portion of the housing of the second moveable carriage; and (g) a
biasing member mounted between the carriage stop and the second
moveable carriage, wherein the biasing member exerts substantially
continuous force on the second moveable carriage for urging the
rotatable cutting blade against a pipe being cut.
9) The pipe cutting tool of claim 8, wherein the first housing
further includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein
the first and second portions are detachable from one another for
accessing the interior of the first moveable carriage and replacing
the rollers.
10) The pipe cutting tool of claim 8, wherein the handle further
includes: a gripping device; and a threaded connector attached to
the gripping device at one end thereof and to the first moveable
carriage at the other end thereof, and wherein the threaded
connector passes through the read portion of the body of the pipe
cutting tool.
11) The pipe cutting tool of claim 8, wherein the second housing
further includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein
the first and second portions are detachable from one another for
accessing the interior of the second movable carriage and replacing
the rotatable cutting blade.
12) The pipe cutting tool of claim 8, wherein the carriage stop
further comprises a removable cap for accessing the interior of the
carriage stop and replacing the biasing member.
13) The pipe cutting tool of claim 8, wherein the pipe cutting tool
further includes cast components, machined components, or a
combination thereof.
14) A method for cutting a length of tubing or pipe, comprising:
(a) providing a cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool further
includes: (i) a body having a rear portion, a middle portion, and a
front portion; (ii) a track attached to or formed integrally with
the middle portion of the body; (iii) a first moveable carriage
slidably mounted on the track, wherein the first moveable carriage
further includes a housing, and wherein a first roller and a second
roller are rotatably mounted in the housing; (iv) a handle mounted
in the rear portion of the body, wherein the handle is connected to
the first moveable carriage, and wherein turning the handle in one
direction causes the first moveable carriage to travel toward the
rear portion of the body and turning the handle in the opposite
direction causes the first moveable carriage to travel toward the
front portion of the body; (v) a second moveable carriage slidably
mounted on the track, wherein the second moveable carriage further
includes a housing and wherein a rotatable cutting blade is mounted
in the housing, and wherein the rotatable cutting blade is adapted
to cooperate with the first and second rollers to receive and cut a
length of tubing or pipe; (vi) a carriage stop mounted on or formed
integrally with on the front portion of the body, wherein the
carriage stop is adapted to receive therein a portion of the
housing of the second moveable carriage; and (vii) a biasing member
mounted between the carriage stop and the second moveable carriage,
wherein the biasing member exerts substantially continuous force on
the second moveable carriage; and (b) inserting a length of tubing
or pipe into the cutting tool between the first and second rollers
and the rotatable cutting blade; (c) turning the handle to tighten
the first moveable carriage against the length of tubing or pipe;
(d) rotating the entire cutting tool around the length of tubing or
pipe to engage the rotatable cutting blade; and (e) continuing to
rotate the cutting tool until the rotatable cutting blade has cut
completely through the length of tubing or piping.
15) The method of claim 14, wherein the first housing further
includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the
first and second portions are detachable from one another for
accessing the interior of the first moveable carriage and replacing
the rollers.
16) The method of claim 14, wherein the handle further includes: a
gripping device; and a threaded connector attached to the gripping
device at one end thereof and to the first moveable carriage at the
other end thereof, and wherein the threaded connector passes
through the read portion of the body of the pipe cutting tool.
17) The method of claim 14, wherein the second housing further
includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the
first and second portions are detachable from one another for
accessing the interior of the second movable carriage and replacing
the rotatable cutting blade.
18) The method of claim 14, wherein the carriage stop further
comprises a removable cap for accessing the interior of the
carriage stop and replacing the biasing member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/956,759 filed on Aug.
20, 2007 and entitled "Pipe Cutter," the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to tools used for
cutting pipes, and more particularly to a "spring-loaded" pipe
cutter that includes mechanical means for exerting substantially
continuous force on certain portions of the pipe cutter for
facilitating use thereof.
[0003] A pipe cutter is a common type of tool used by plumbers and
other workers to cut pipe, tubing, conduit, and the like. Besides
producing a generally clean cut, the pipe cutter is often a faster
and more convenient way of cutting pipe than using a hacksaw. There
are two basic types of pipe cutters. Plastic tubing cutters, which
typically resemble a pair of pruning shears, may be used for
thinner pipes and tubes such as a sprinkler pipe. Pipe cutters of
the type having at least one sharp cutting wheel and adjustable jaw
grips are typically used for cutting thicker pipes such as those
made of copper or other metals. This second type of pipe cutter is
used by inserting a length of pipe into the device and rotating the
entire device circumferentially around the pipe, while repeatedly
tightening the device against the pipe, until the pipe is cut all
of the way through.
[0004] While pipe cutters such as the second type described above
are generally effective for their intended purpose, these devices
suffer from certain significant limitations. More specifically,
currently available pipe cutters that are suitable for use with
metal pipes require the user to continually tighten the device
manually so that adequate force is applied to the portions of the
device that actually cut the pipe. This force must be applied at
the same time the user is rotating the entire device around the
length of pipe or the cutting wheel will not cut through the metal.
These design aspects make such pipe cutters unwieldy, difficult to
use, and in some cases may result in damage to the area of the pipe
that is being cut. Damage to an area of pipe is particularly
problematic when only a short length of pipe is available for
cutting and subsequently attaching an item (e.g., a compression
connector) thereto. Therefore, there is a need for a manual pipe
cutting tool that quickly and easily cuts metal pipe without
causing damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The following provides a summary of certain exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. This summary is not an
extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical
aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its
scope.
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
pipe-cutting system is provided. This pipe-cutting system includes
a tool having body having a rear portion, a middle portion, and a
front portion; a track attached to or formed integrally with the
middle portion of the body; a first moveable carriage slidably
mounted on the track, wherein the first moveable carriage further
includes a first roller and a second roller mounted therein; a
handle mounted in the rear portion of the body, wherein the handle
is connected to the first moveable carriage, and wherein turning
the handle in one direction causes the first moveable carriage to
travel toward the rear portion of the body and turning the handle
in the opposite direction causes the first moveable carriage to
travel toward the front portion of the body; a second moveable
carriage slidably mounted on the track, wherein the second moveable
carriage further includes a rotatable cutting blade mounted
therein, and wherein the rotatable cutting blade is adapted to
cooperate with the first and second rollers to receive and cut a
length of pipe; a carriage stop mounted on or formed integrally
with on the front portion of the body, wherein the carriage stop is
adapted to receive therein a portion of the second moveable
carriage; and a biasing member mounted between the carriage stop
and the second moveable carriage, wherein the biasing member exerts
substantially continuous force on the second moveable carriage for
urging the rotatable cutting blade against a pipe being cut.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a pipe-cutting tool is provided. This pipe-cutting tool includes a
rigid body having a rear portion, a middle portion, and a front
portion; a track attached to or formed integrally with the middle
portion of the body; a first moveable carriage slidably mounted on
the track, wherein the first moveable carriage further includes a
first housing, and wherein a first roller and a second roller are
rotatably mounted in the first housing; a handle mounted in the
rear portion of the body, wherein the handle is connected to the
first moveable carriage, and wherein turning the handle in one
direction causes the first moveable carriage to travel toward the
rear portion of the body and turning the handle in the opposite
direction causes the first moveable carriage to travel toward the
front portion of the body; a second moveable carriage slidably
mounted on the track, wherein the second moveable carriage further
includes a second housing and wherein a rotatable cutting blade is
mounted in the second housing, and wherein the rotatable cutting
blade is adapted to cooperate with the first and second rollers to
receive and cut a length of tubing or pipe; a carriage stop mounted
on or formed integrally with on the front portion of the body,
wherein the carriage stop is adapted to receive therein a portion
of the housing of the second moveable carriage; and a biasing
member mounted between the carriage stop and the second moveable
carriage, wherein the biasing member exerts substantially
continuous force on the second moveable carriage for urging the
rotatable cutting blade against a pipe being cut.
[0008] In yet another aspect of this invention, a method for
cutting a length of tubing or pipe is provided. This method
includes providing a cutting tool such as those described above;
inserting a length of tubing or pipe into the cutting tool between
the first and second rollers and the rotatable cutting blade;
turning the handle to tighten the first moveable carriage against
the length of tubing or pipe; rotating the entire cutting tool
around the length of tubing or pipe to engage the rotatable cutting
blade; and continuing to rotate the cutting tool until the
rotatable cutting blade has cut completely through the length of
tubing or piping.
[0009] Additional features and aspects of the present invention
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon
reading and understanding the following detailed description of the
exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled
artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as
illustrative and not restrictive in nature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or
more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the
general description given above and detailed description given
below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pipe cutting tool in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1;
and
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded, front perspective view of the pipe
cutting tool of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now
described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are
used throughout the description to refer to the various elements
and structures. Although the following description contains many
specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and
alterations to the following details are also within the scope of
the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the
invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and
without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.
[0016] The present invention relates to a device for use in cutting
lengths of metal or plastic pipe or tubing. As previously
indicated, a first general embodiment of this invention provides a
pipe-cutting system; a second general embodiment of this invention
provides a pipe cutting tool; and a third general embodiment of
this invention provides a method for cutting a length of pipe or
tubing. With reference now to the Figures, one or more specific
embodiments of this invention shall be described in greater
detail.
[0017] The present invention provides a pipe cutting tool which
comprises numerous components that are typically cast or machined
from metal or other suitably rigid and durable materials. With
reference to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary embodiment of pipe cutting
tool 10 according to the present invention includes a frame 20, a
rear carriage 30 slidably mounted on frame 20, an adjustable handle
50 connected to rear carriage 30, a front carriage 60 also slidably
mounted on frame 20 and a carriage stop 80, which is attached to
the front portion of frame 20. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,
frame 20 is a roughly L-shaped structure that includes tail 21,
threaded aperture 22, crossbar 23, aperture 24, and rail 25, which
is mounted on or formed integrally with the underside of crossbar
23.
[0018] As best shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of rear
carriage 30 further includes first mating portion 31, a second
mating portion 32, and peg 33 for providing structural stability to
rear carriage 30 when the two mating portions are joined together.
First mating portion 31 further includes aperture 34 and first
portions of slot 35, chamber 36, C-shaped cutout 37, mounting
aperture 40 (not shown), mounting aperture 42 (not shown), and
notch 43 (not shown). Second mating portion 32 further includes
second portions of slot 35, chamber 36, C-shaped cutout 37,
mounting aperture 40, mounting aperture 42, and notch 43. When
properly assembled, notch 35 engages rail 25 on frame 20 (to permit
linear motion of the carriage on the rail), rollers 39 and 41 are
inserted into mounting apertures 40 and 42 respectively within
chamber 36, and contoured tip 53 is inserted into notch 43. Hex
bolt 38 is inserted into aperture 34 to secure the two mating
portions to one another. As will be appreciated by the skilled
artisan, the two mating portions may be welded together or joined
by any other acceptable means. In this embodiment, rear carriage 30
may be opened for purposes of replacing rollers 39 and 41, if
necessary or desired.
[0019] Adjustable handle 50 includes knob 51, connector 52 and
contoured tip 53, which as previous discussed, is inserted into
notch 43 when rear carriage 30 is properly assembled. Connector 22
is inserted through threaded aperture 22 in tail 21 and by turning
knob 51 in one direction or another, the user of cutting tool 10
may move rear carriage 30 either toward tail 21 or toward carriage
stop 80.
[0020] Again, as best shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of
front carriage 60 further includes first mating portion 61, second
mating portion 62, and peg 63 for providing structural stability to
front carriage 60 when the two mating portions are joined together.
First mating portion 61 further includes aperture 64 and first
portions of slot 65, first chamber 66 (not shown), second chamber
67, mounting aperture 69, and elongated aperture 70. Second mating
portion 62 further includes second portions of slot 65, first
chamber 66, second chamber 67, mounting aperture 69, and elongated
aperture 70 (not shown). When properly assembled, notch 65 engages
rail 25 on frame 20 (to permit linear motion of the carriage on the
rail), pin 72, which passes through the center of cutting blade 71,
is inserted into aperture 69 within first chamber 66, a biasing
member or spring 73 is positioned within second chamber 67. Hex
bolt 68 is inserted into aperture 64 to secure the two mating
portions to one another. As will be appreciated by the skilled
artisan, the two mating portions may be welded together or joined
by any other acceptable means. In this embodiment, front carriage
60 may be opened for purposes of replacing cutting blade 71, if
necessary or desired.
[0021] Carriage stop 80 is mounted on the front edge of frame 20
and includes housing 81, aperture 82, slot 83, and cap 84, which
further includes aperture 85, and tab 86. Carriage stop 80 is
secured to frame 20 by inserting press fit pin 88 (see FIG. 2)
through aperture 82. Because a portion of front carriage 60 extends
into and is received by housing 81, when properly assembled, press
fit pin 88 also passes through elongated aperture 70, which
provides an opening that is sufficiently large to permit linear
movement of front carriage 60 along track 25 when cutting tool 10
is in use. Cap 84 mounted in housing 81 by inserting tab 86 into
slot 83 and then inserting bolt 87 into aperture 24 to secure cap
84 to frame 20. When properly assembled, one end of spring 73 is
positioned within front carriage 60 and the other end of spring 73
is positioned within carriage stop 80 (see FIG. 2). In this
embodiment, cap 84 may be removed to access the interior of housing
81 and replace spring 73, if necessary or as desired.
[0022] To cut a length of metal tubing or pipe with pipe cutting
tool 10, a user of the device turns knob 51 to open a sufficient
distance between rear carriage 30 and front carriage 60. The pipe
to be cut is then placed between the front and rear carriages and
knob 51 is turned in the opposite direction to close the distance
between the front and rear carriages. Knob 51 should be tightened
to provide significant pressure from rear carriage 30 on the pipe
being cut, but not enough pressure to deform the pipe. The user
then rotates the entire tool around the pipe until cutting blade 71
has cut completely though the material thereof. Spring 73 places
substantially continuous force on cutting blade 71 as the entire
device is rotated around the pipe being cut; thus, the user need
not continually tighten the knob or make other adjustments to keep
sufficient force on the roller carrier and on the pipe. For this
and other reasons, the present invention provides a superior
cutting tool that consistently provides a clean cut when it is used
on a length of pipe and that does not damage the pipe itself due to
the fact that the user need not exert constant and/or excessive
compressive force to cut the pipe.
[0023] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the
embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the
intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the
scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages
and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to
any of the specific details, representative devices and methods,
and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,
departures may be made from such details without departing from the
spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
* * * * *